Sweet and Tender Oven-Roasted Sweet Potato (Danhobak)
Sweet and Tender Oven-Roasted Sweet Potato (Danhobak)
Crispy Outside, Fluffy Inside! Oven-Roasted Sweet Potato: From Healthy Snack to Elegant Side Dish
Experience a flavor dimension beyond simple steaming! Oven roasting brings out the natural sweetness and tender texture, making it a perfect snack on its own. This magical sweet potato recipe can also elevate your meals when served alongside salads or steaks, making your dining experience richer.
Main Ingredients- 1 whole Korean sweet pumpkin or Kuri squash (approx. 1kg / 2.2 lbs)
Seasoning- 2 Tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- Pinch of Black pepper
- 2 Tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- Pinch of Black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare your Korean sweet pumpkin or Kuri squash. Since you’ll be eating the skin, wash it thoroughly under running water, scrubbing with baking soda or coarse salt. After rinsing, carefully cut it in half.
Step 2
Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and fibrous insides from the cut pumpkin. Removing these parts cleanly is key to achieving a neat result.
Step 3
If the skin is particularly tough or has many blemishes, carefully peel only those parts with a knife. While it’s best to eat the skin, very hard sections might take longer to cook, so trimming them is a good idea.
Step 4
Slice the prepared pumpkin into crescent shapes, about 0.5 cm to 1 cm (0.2 to 0.4 inches) thick. Sweet potatoes can be hard, so be sure to secure your grip and slice carefully to avoid injury. Slicing too thinly might cause them to break apart, so maintaining a moderate thickness is important.
Step 5
Place all the cut sweet potato pieces into a large bowl.
Step 6
Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of black pepper to taste. Gently toss to coat all the sweet potato pieces evenly with the oil and seasonings. Adjust the amount of salt and olive oil based on the size and quantity of your sweet potato. If your sweet potato is very sweet, you might want to reduce the salt slightly.
Step 7
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the seasoned sweet potato pieces in a single layer, making sure they don’t overlap. Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C (340°F) for 15 to 20 minutes. The baking time may vary depending on your oven and the thickness of the pumpkin slices.
Step 8
Test for doneness by piercing with a chopstick or skewer; it should slide in easily. Remove the sweet potato when it has a beautiful yellow color, before it turns overly brown. It’s delicious served warm as is, or chilled and added to salads, steaks, or pasta dishes for an elegant touch.
Step 9
If you wish to enjoy your roasted sweet potato in a different way, chop the oven-baked pieces into smaller bits.
Step 10
Generously sprinkle your desired amount of pizza cheese over the chopped sweet potato. Using mozzarella cheese will add a fun, stretchy texture.
Step 11
Return the tray to an oven preheated to 200°C (400°F) and bake for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown. This way, you can enjoy two delightful sweet potato variations, from a simple roast to a decadent cheese bake, all from one recipe!
